Keeping alive the Islamic tradition of scholarship, insight, and purification...one day at a time.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

LESSON OF THE DAY 553

Ayahs of the Day:And don't keep your hand bound to your neck, nor yet stretch it as far it extends, lest you become reprehensible and destitute. For your Lord expands the provision of anyone at will, and measures proportionately; for God knows and sees all creatures. [17: 29,30]

Hadith of the Day:People are tested according to their faith. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:To panic during a calamity is itself a greater calamity. [ Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:Patience: Difficulties are a means for the expiation of many sins. At times Allah Most High wishes to bestow a special rank of elevation to a servant, but the servant lacks the ability to attain that lofty rank solely by virtue of his righteous deeds. Allah Most High then afflicts him with some hardship by virtue of which he attains the desired lofty rank. When a hardship afflicts them, they say: Inna li 'Llahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (Verily, we are for Allah and unto Him will we return). The purport of this verse is that one should engage in the dhikr of this verse at the time of difficulty and hardship. One should meditate upon the meaning of this statement--that we are the exclusive property of Allah, we belong to Him, and He has the full right to utilize and dispose of His property as He sees fit. We are, therefore, content with the decree of Allah.

When hardship afflicts one, he should first remember his sins. Such remembrance of shortcomings and faults will fortify one against depression during the hardship. One will then realize the correctness of the affliction and accept it without complaint. One will regret and not protest. Secondly, meditate upon the reward that Allah has promised for hardship. Remembering this reward will lessen the grief and keep one resolute in the state of hardship. Never complain or entertain the impression that Allah Most High has become displeased with you. This impression is dangerous because it weakens the bond with Allah Most High, and by degrees one's relationship with Allah Most High becomes obliterated.

Consider hardship as either a punishment or a trial and contemplate its reward. At the time of hardship, the Shari'a calls to patience and steadfastness. For every hardship, the compensation will be good. There is, most certainly, benefit in hardship, in this world as well as in the Hereafter, although one may not be able to understand the worldly benefit therein. Patience is inculcated by weakening the desires of lust and emotion. [The Path to Perfection]

Food for Thought:To attain happiness and peace you must be from those who hasten to do virtuous and beautiful deeds.